St Govt keen to support the Golden Pipeline Project

25/5/98

Premier Richard Court says the State Government is keen to support the Golden Pipeline Project - a proposal co-ordinated by the National Trust of Australia (WA), which aims to develop and preserve the heritage significance of the Goldfields Water Pipeline.

Mr Court said the Water Corporation had agreed to set aside $1.3 million for the project - expected to cost around $6 million.

"The pipeline was a key feature in the development of Western Australia and we support moves to develop and preserve the heritage significance of its original elements," Mr Court said.

Construction work on the Goldfields water supply scheme began 100 years ago in 1898 with excavation work on Mundaring Dam and was followed by the laying of pipes and the development of pumping stations en route to Kalgoorlie. The project was under the direction of C Y O'Connor, the engineer-in-chief for the Public Works Department.

The first pumping began in 1902 and the scheme was officially opened in 1903.

"The proposal involves the conservation, interpretation and appropriate management of the original water supply scheme, including a number of pumping stations and other buildings, sections of pipe and engineering structures," Mr Court said.

The Premier said there was growing support for the project in the community and he had received strong representations on the issue from the Member for Swan Hills, June Van de Klashorst.

"The Kalgoorlie water supply scheme is one that continues to capture the imagination of Western Australians and the Golden Pipeline proposal is one that also links local government bodies and communities that are located along its length," he said.

Mr Court said the Water Corporation funding was conditional on the remaining funds being found from other sources such as private sector sponsorship.

Media contact: Casey Cahill 9222 9475